Package-based filtering and matching solutions

ABSTRACT

A microelectronic package having a radio frequency (RF) amplifier circuit and, incorporating harmonic rejection filters and matching circuits integrally formed in the package is disclosed. A harmonic rejection filter may comprise a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor serially coupled between bond pads disposed on a RF amplifier circuit die, a first wire bond coupling a first bond pad to a package output, where the first bond pad is coupled to the output of the RF amplifier, and a second wire bond coupling a second bond pad to a package ground. The harmonic rejection filter may be appropriately configured to filter one or more harmonics at different frequencies.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/835,960 filed Aug. 8, 2007.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

Embodiments of the invention relate to radio frequency (RF)microelectronic circuit packages fabricated with integral filteringand/or matching capabilities using wire bonds and metal-insulator-metal(MIM) capacitors.

2. Description of Related Art

Radio frequency (RF) Front-End modules for wireless communicationsystems utilize power amplifiers to amplify outgoing signals prior toexternal transmission through an antenna. Undesirable high orderharmonics may be generated at the output of the power amplifier due toits non-linear performance and high level of power to be transmitted. Toensure acceptable signal quality, undesired high order harmonics arefiltered prior to transmission through the antenna. In addition, inputand output matching networks may be implemented at interfaces of activeRF circuits, e.g. low noise amplifier and power amplifier, to optimizesignal transfer.

Currently, a harmonic rejection filter implemented at the output of apower amplifier may be either a low-pass filter or a simple notchfilter. The filter is typically fabricated and disposed external of theRF package as a discrete or embedded component. Further, input andoutput matching circuits are typically integrated at the die usingmetal-insulator capacitors, and spiral inductors which require thickmetal plating to achieve high Q factor (quality factor) performance. Itfollows that the use of external filters and thick metal spiralinductors enlarges package form factor and at the same time increasesmanufacturing costs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a partial cross-sectional view of a microelectronic packageincorporating a single-rejection output harmonic rejection filteraccording to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 1B is a top view of the output harmonic rejection filter in themicroelectronic package of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1C is a schematic representation of the output harmonic rejectionfilter of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a metal-insulator-metal (MIM)capacitor used in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 3A is a partial cross-sectional view of a microelectronic packageincorporating a multiple-rejection output harmonic rejection filteraccording to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3B is a top view of the output harmonic rejection filter in themicroelectronic package of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 3C is a schematic representation of the output harmonic rejectionfilter of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4A is a partial cross-sectional view of a microelectronic packageincorporating a output harmonic rejection filter, an input matchingcircuit and an output matching circuit according to one embodiment ofthe invention.

FIG. 4B is a schematic representation of the output harmonic rejectionfilter and output matching circuit of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 4C is a schematic representation of the input matching circuit ofFIG. 4A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth inorder to provide a thorough understanding of various illustrativeembodiments of the present invention. It will be understood, however, toone skilled in the art, that embodiments of the present invention may bepracticed without some or all of these specific details. In otherinstances, well known process operations have not been described indetail in order not to unnecessarily obscure pertinent aspects ofembodiments being described. In the drawings, like reference numeralsrefer to same or similar functionalities or features throughout theseveral views.

Embodiments of the invention relate to radio frequency (RF)microelectronic packages incorporating filtering and matchingcapabilities. More specifically, various combinations of on-diemetal-insulator-metal capacitor and package wire bonds may beimplemented in RF active dies, e.g. a power amplifier, to providefiltering and matching solutions.

FIG. 1A is a partial cross-sectional view of a microelectronic package100 incorporating a single-rejection output harmonic rejection filter200 according to one embodiment of the invention. In the microelectronicpackage 100, an active die 102, containing at least an RF amplifiercircuit to perform the logic of its intended application, may be coupledto a ground plane 104. The ground plane 104 may be either a metal layeron the package topmost layer or a stackup of both package metal and ametallization layer on the back of the die 102. In either case, aconductive die-attach material may be used to attach the die 102 to thepackage substrate 106. The ground plane 104 may be configured as acommon ground for the package 100 and the die 102. Examples of suitablematerials for the package substrate 106 include, but are not limited to,quad-flat-no-lead (QFN), thin array plastic package (TAPP), multi-layerorganic or low temperature co-fired ceramics. A plurality of bond padsmay be disposed spaced-apart on the die 102 to provide contact pads towhich electrical connections may be made.

To implement a single harmonic rejection, a first inductor-capacitorcombination may be provided, which incorporates a firstmetal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor 202 within the die 102. Both thedie 102 and MIM capacitor 202 may be fabricated using conventional dieprocessing steps. FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a MIMcapacitor used in the embodiment of FIG. 1A. The first MIM capacitor 202may comprise a top electrode 204, a bottom electrode 206, and adielectric material 208 interposed therebetween. The first MIM capacitor202 may be serially coupled between a first bond pad 112 a and a secondbond pad 112 b. Electrical connectors, such as vias 114, may be employedto make connections between the top electrode 204 and the first bond pad112 a, and between the bottom electrode 206 and the second bond pad 112b. The first bond pad 112 a (or amplifier output bond pad) may becoupled to an output of the die 102 while the second bond pad 112 b (ordownbond pad) may be coupled to the package ground 104. As illustrated,the first MIM capacitor 202 may be disposed under the bond pads toreduce package space required and thereby reduce the form factor of themicroelectronic package 100.

The main inductance between the output of the power amplifier and theinput to an antenna is provided by the first wire bond 210 coupling thefirst bond pad 112 a to the package output 118. The shunt inductance ordownbond between the bottom electrode of the first MIM capacitor 202 andthe package ground 104 is provided by a second wire bond 220 couplingthe second bond pad 112 b to the package output 118. Examples ofsuitable materials for the wire bonds include, but are not limited to,gold, aluminum and copper. Examples of suitable materials used asdielectrics of the MIM capacitors include, but are not limited to,silicon nitride and silicon dioxide.

FIG. 1B is a top view of the output harmonic rejection filter of themicroelectronic package of FIG. 1A and illustrates the above-describedwire bond connections 210, 220. A schematic representation of the outputharmonic rejection filter 200 described above is illustrated in FIG. 1C.

While the harmonic rejection filter in the above embodiment is a notchfilter to provide for a single harmonic rejection, embodiments of theinvention are not limited as such. Modifications to the above embodimentmay be made to implement multiple harmonic rejections where required. Toimplement a multiple-rejection output harmonic rejection filter,multiple wire bonds are connected in parallel along main signaltransmission and, further, multiple inductor-capacitor (LC) combinationsare connected in parallel along the shunt branch.

FIG. 3A is a partial cross-sectional view of a microelectronic packageincorporating a multiple-rejection output harmonic rejection filter 500configured to reject two harmonics. FIG. 3B is a top view of the outputharmonic rejection filters of the microelectronic package of FIG. 3A.The embodiment of FIGS. 3A and 3B comprises a first inductor-capacitorcombination and a second inductor-capacitor combination connected inparallel. This parallel arrangement is serially coupled between theamplifier output 116 and the package ground 104 and is configured toresonate at different frequencies to reject multiple harmonics. Theembodiment of FIG. 3A further comprises a parallel arrangement of afirst wire bond 210 and a second wire bond 230. This other parallelarrangement is serially coupled between the amplifier output 116 and thepackage output 118.

More particularly, the first inductor-capacitor combination comprises afirst MIM capacitor 202 serially coupled between a first bond pad 112 a,which is coupled to the amplifier output 116, and a second bond pad 112b. The first bond pad 112 a (or amplifier output bond pad) may becoupled to an output 118 of the package 100 via a first wire bond 210,while the second bond pad 112 b (or downbond pad) may be coupled to thepackage ground 104 via a second wire bond 220. The secondinductor-capacitor combination comprises a second MIM capacitor 502serially coupled between a first bond pad 112 a and a third bond pad 112c via a third wire bond 230 to the package output 118. A fourth wirebond 240 connects the third bond pad 112 c (or downbond pad) to thepackage ground 104. The third bond pad 112 c should be electricallyisolated from the second bond pad 112 b. A schematic representation ofthe output harmonic rejection filter 500 described above is illustratedin FIG. 3C.

FIG. 4A is a partial cross-sectional view of a microelectronic package100 incorporating the output harmonic rejection filter 200 of FIG. 1A,an output matching circuit 300 and an input matching circuit 400. Toimplement the output matching circuit 300, an output matching MIMcapacitor 302 is coupled in parallel to the first MIM capacitor 202between the first bond pad 112 a and the package ground 104. Moreparticularly, the top electrode of the output matching MIM capacitor 302may be coupled to the first bond pad 112 a while the bottom electrode ofthe capacitor 302 may be coupled to the package ground 104. Similarly,vias 114 may be provided as electrical connections to and from thesecond MIM capacitor 302. An inductor 310, e.g. a spiral inductor, isserially coupled between the first bond pad 112 a and the amplifieroutput 116. A schematic representation of the combination of the outputharmonic rejection filter 200 and output matching circuit 300 isillustrated in FIG. 4B.

The output matching circuit 300 is matched at the input of the amplifierdie 102 by a corresponding input matching circuit 400 comprising aninput matching MIM capacitor 402 serially coupled between an inputmatching bond pad 112 d and the package ground 104. More particularly,the top electrode of the MIM capacitor 402 may be coupled to the inputmatching bond pad 112 d while the bottom electrode of the input matchingMIM capacitor 402 may be coupled to the package ground 104. Similarly,vias 114 may be provided as electrical connections to and from the inputmatching MIM capacitor 402. A wire bond 410 is provided to couple theinput matching bond pad 112 d to a package input 120. A schematicrepresentation of the input matching circuit 400 is illustrated in FIG.4C.

The above-described die 102, harmonic rejection filter and matchingcircuits may be encapsulated in a mold material 108 to form an integralpart of a RF microelectronic package 100. Embodiments of the inventionare applicable to packages with single die as well as to packages withmultiple dies. Radio Frequency (RF) modules largely involve multipledies built on a package substrate. In such packages, each die may becapped using a molding cap material.

Reference is made to FIG. 1A where, during operation, signals from theamplifier output 116 are fed through the output matching circuit 300 tothe output harmonic rejection filter 200 to be processed. At mostfrequencies, signal transmission occurs through the main inductance ofthe output harmonic rejection filter 200 (corresponding to the firstwire bond 210) with unrejected signals transmitted to the package output118. At the predetermined harmonic frequency, however, the parasiticcapacitance (corresponding to the first MIM capacitor 202) resonateswith the downbond or shunt inductance (corresponding to the second wirebond 220) to create a low-impedance signal path to the ground 104. Thelow-impedance path therefore provides a transmission path for theundesired harmonic signal. The desired harmonic rejection frequency maybe adjusted by varying the capacitance or the inductance. Generally, alarger capacitance value or a larger inductance value corresponds tolower frequency of harmonic rejection, and vice versa. In general, thecapacitance value may be increased by increasing the dimensions of theelectrodes. The inductance value may be controlled by varying the lengthof the bond wires or by connecting several wire bonds in parallel, inwhich an increase in the number of parallel wire bonds results indecreased inductance.

Embodiments of the invention are particularly advantageous in providingmicroelectronic packages with small form factor and at reduced costs.The use of wire bonds reduces the number of spiral inductors implementedon the active die and therefore reduces package space required andaccordingly, manufacturing costs. Form factor is further reduced bydisposing the MIM capacitor(s) under the bond pads. Using the abovedesign, the package form factor reduction may range between about 5% toabout 10%. With increased adoption of Multiple-input multiple-output(MIMO) architecture in Front-End modules involving multiple poweramplifier outputs, embodiments of the invention would result insubstantial reduction in form factor and manufacturing costs. At thesame time, quality factor (Q factor) is improved due to reducedinsertion loss in signal transmission path with the use of wire bond aspart of the harmonic rejection filter. With improved Q factor,electrical performance of both filtering and matching circuits areenhanced.

Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art fromconsideration of the specification and practice of the presentinvention. Furthermore, certain terminology has been used for thepurposes of descriptive clarity, and not to limit the invention. Theembodiments and features described above should be considered exemplary,with the invention being defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of operating a microelectronic package,comprising: receiving a signal; processing the signal through a firstfilter integrally formed microelectronic package to provide a firstharmonic rejection, the first filter including: a firstmetal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor serially coupled between aplurality of the bond pads formed on a die having at least a radiofrequency (RF) amplifier circuit formed thereon; a first wire bondcoupling a first of the bond pads to a package output, wherein the firstof the bond pads is coupled to an amplifier output; a second wire bondcoupling a second of the bond pads to a package ground; and transmittingthe signal to an output of the microelectronic package; processing thesignal through a second filter integrally formed in the microelectronicpackage to provide a second harmonic rejection, the second filterincluding: a second MIM capacitor coupled in parallel to the first MIMcapacitor and between the first and a third of the bond pads; a thirdwire bond coupling the first of the bond pads to the output of themicroelectronic package; and a fourth wire bond coupling the third ofthe bond pads to the package ground.
 2. A method of operating amicroelectronic package, comprising: receiving a signal; processing thesignal through a first filter integrally formed microelectronic packageto provide a first harmonic rejection, the first filter including: afirst metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor serially coupled between aplurality of the bond pads formed on a die having at least a radiofrequency (RF) amplifier circuit formed thereon; a first wire bondcoupling a first of the bond pads to a package output, wherein the firstof the bond pads is coupled to an amplifier output; a second wire bondcoupling a second of the bond pads to a package ground; and transmittingthe signal to an output of the microelectronic package; processing thesignal through an output matching circuit integrally formed in themicroelectronic package, the output matching circuit including: anoutput matching MIM capacitor coupled in parallel to the first MIMcapacitor between the first of the bond pads and the package ground; andan inductor coupled between the amplifier output and the first of thebond pads.
 3. The method of claim 2, further comprising: processing thesignal through a second filter integrally formed in the microelectronicpackage to provide a second harmonic rejection, the second filterincluding: a fourth MIM capacitor coupled in parallel to the first MIMcapacitor and between the first and a fourth of the bond pads; and afourth wire bond coupling the fourth of the bond pads to the packageground.
 4. A method of operating a microelectronic package, comprising:receiving a signal; processing the signal through a first filterintegrally formed microelectronic package to provide a first harmonicrejection, the first filter including: a first metal-insulator-metal(MIM) capacitor serially coupled between a plurality of the bond padsformed on a die having at least a radio frequency (RF) amplifier circuitformed thereon; a first wire bond coupling a first of the bond pads to apackage output, wherein the first of the bond pads is coupled to anamplifier output; a second wire bond coupling a second of the bond padsto a package ground; processing the signal through a second filterintegrally formed in the microelectronic package to provide a secondharmonic rejection, the second filter including: a second MIM capacitorcoupled in parallel to the first MIM capacitor and between the first anda third of the bond pads; a third wire bond coupling the first of thebond pads to the output of the microelectronic package; and a fourthwire bond coupling the third of the bond pads to the package ground; andtransmitting the signal to an output of the microelectronic package. 5.A method of operating a microelectronic package, comprising: receiving asignal; processing the signal through a first filter integrally formedmicroelectronic package to provide a first harmonic rejection, the firstfilter including: a first metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor seriallycoupled between a plurality of the bond pads formed on a die having atleast a radio frequency (RF) amplifier circuit formed thereon; a firstwire bond coupling a first of the bond pads to a package output, whereinthe first of the bond pads is coupled to an amplifier output; a secondwire bond coupling a second of the bond pads to a package ground;processing the signal through an output matching circuit integrallyformed in the microelectronic package, the output matching circuitincluding: an output matching MIM capacitor coupled in parallel to thefirst MIM capacitor between the first of the bond pads and the packageground; and an inductor coupled between the amplifier output and thefirst of the bond pads; processing the signal through a second filterintegrally formed in the microelectronic package to provide a secondharmonic rejection, the second filter including: a fourth MIM capacitorcoupled in parallel to the first MIM capacitor and between the first anda fourth of the bond pads; and a fourth wire bond coupling the fourth ofthe bond pads to the package ground; and transmitting the signal to anoutput of the microelectronic package.